Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

For decades repairing the heart had only one approach - open the chest, stop the heart and put the patient on a heart/lung bypass machine. However, times have changed and here at University Hospital we have evolved with the changing times allowing us to offer minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for the heart as an alternative to the traditional open chest approach.

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery consists of newer techniques which allow the surgeon to accomplish traditional procedures via small incisions which has proven to dramatically reduce the risks, recovery time and discomfort that have long been associated with heart surgery.

The MIS Difference

OPEN CHEST: Full sternal split approach.

MIS: For minimally invasive valve repair, the surgeon enters with a thoroscope.

At University Hospital we have taken the minimally invasive approach to its highest level with the use of the da Vinci Surgical System® to perform highly precisioned, robotic-assisted cardiac surgery. What the da Vinci robot offers is unparalleled visualization (10X magnification and a 3D view) with instrument dexterity that translates and actually refines the movements of the human hand.

Off-Pump or Beating Heart Surgery

In contrast to the old method of stopping the heart and putting the patient on a heart/lung bypass machine at University Hospital the MIS approach is accentuated by the ability to perform what is known as "beating heart" surgery in which surgeries can be performed without stopping the patient's heart. To achieve this a device known as the Medtronic Octopus® Stabilizer stabilizes the beating heart while the surgery is performed. This new approach allows patients to go home sooner, usually in three to four days as opposed to six or seven days with the old method. Furthermore, patients overall lose less blood and have a lower risk of stroke and renal failure.

Minimally invasive heart surgery is not for every patient however so to determine if you are a candidate speak with your physician or contact us.